Sustainable Design
The definition of “good design” is shifting, and green design is increasingly being recognized as a vital component. As designers reassess our roles, many are endeavoring to invoke consciousness around sustainability at every step in the design process. We need to lead more sustainable lives.
I believe most designers want to do the right thing, but we don’t always know what the right thing is, nor do we know where to start if we want to get there. As a profession, we need to start by thinking about design in a larger way. Today, good design is green design; sustainable considerations need to be inherent to the design process, not bolted on as an afterthought. Clients should not have to ask for a green solution; it should be endemic to our approach as problem solvers.
The more you learn about the environmental impacts of choices and behaviors, the more likely you’ll be to implement meaningful sustainability practices, which will make you more valuable to your clients. But even though lots of people already realize this it can be daunting. Sustainability is complex and entails a steep learning curve.
As designers, one of our many roles is to make things. This facet of the profession is tangible and compelling. There’s a strong tradition of making in the profession, and it can be difficult to embrace the absence of something as design. But one of the first challenges we face is to help clients decide what physical artifacts are truly needed and to produce only what’s needed, and not more.
When we do need to create physical stuff such as brochures, handouts, packaging, and other artifacts, it’s our job to produce them with forethought. Seek out, test, and recommend better physical materials and avoid the use of any substance that may cause environmental damage to air quality, water, or the earth.
Start an eco paper library: For many designers, paper choice is the low-hanging fruit of sustainability. And paper choice does indeed make a difference. Creating your
I believe most designers want to do the right thing, but we don’t always know what the right thing is, nor do we know where to start if we want to get there. As a profession, we need to start by thinking about design in a larger way. Today, good design is green design; sustainable considerations need to be inherent to the design process, not bolted on as an afterthought. Clients should not have to ask for a green solution; it should be endemic to our approach as problem solvers.
The more you learn about the environmental impacts of choices and behaviors, the more likely you’ll be to implement meaningful sustainability practices, which will make you more valuable to your clients. But even though lots of people already realize this it can be daunting. Sustainability is complex and entails a steep learning curve.
As designers, one of our many roles is to make things. This facet of the profession is tangible and compelling. There’s a strong tradition of making in the profession, and it can be difficult to embrace the absence of something as design. But one of the first challenges we face is to help clients decide what physical artifacts are truly needed and to produce only what’s needed, and not more.
When we do need to create physical stuff such as brochures, handouts, packaging, and other artifacts, it’s our job to produce them with forethought. Seek out, test, and recommend better physical materials and avoid the use of any substance that may cause environmental damage to air quality, water, or the earth.
Start an eco paper library: For many designers, paper choice is the low-hanging fruit of sustainability. And paper choice does indeed make a difference. Creating your